Method and apparatus for an anodic treatment

Abstract

A method and apparatus for anodizing a component. The component is placed in a container having a supply port, a drain port and a supply passage. The supply passage faced on a surface of the component to be anodized. A reaction medium is supplied from the supply port to the drain port. An electric current is supplied from an electrode provided on the drain port side of the surface. The apparatus prevents any hydrogen gas created by the electrode from recirculating to the surface of the component.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of anodizing a component comprising the steps of: 
       providing a container comprising a supply port, a drain port, and a supply passage connecting the supply port and the drain port, at least a portion of the supply passage including a reaction chamber in fluidly connection with a surface of the component to be anodized;  
       supplying an electric current from an electrode positioned between the drain port and the component surface; and  
       supplying a reaction medium from the supply port to the drain port through the supply passage.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said container further comprises at least one seal member separating a first surface of the component to be anodized from a second surface of the component not to be anodized. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the supply passage comprises a supply portion adjacent the supply port, and a reaction flow passage portion including the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction flow passage portion is relatively significantly narrower than the supply portion. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the reaction chamber has a boundary defined in part by the seal member. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising providing at least two seal members that define in part the boundary of the reaction chamber. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising providing a passage plate in the container, the passage plate extending at least partially into the reaction flow passage. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the passage plate is an annular ring, wherein the component has a tube shape and the passage plate surrounds the component. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the electrode is an annular ring provided on the passage plate. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the passage plate has a recess, and the electrode is positioned in the recess. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the passage plate has an outer ring portion and an inner ring portion, the outer ring portion having a thickness bigger than a thickness of the inner ring portion. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the supply port is formed vertically below the reaction chamber, and the drain port is formed vertically above the reaction chamber. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising providing at least one pushing pin that deforms said seal member. 
     
     
       13. (Currently Amended) A method of anodizing a component comprising the steps of: 
       providing a container comprising a supply port, a drain port, and a supply passage connecting the supply port and the drain port, at least a portion of the supply passage including a reaction chamber in fluidly connection with a surface of the component to be anodized;  
       supplying an electric current from an electrode positioned fluidly downstream of the component surface within the supply passage; and  
       supplying a reaction medium from the supply port to the drain port through the supply passage.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said container further comprises at least one seal member separating a first surface of the component to be anodized from a second surface of the component not to be anodized. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the supply passage comprises a supply portion adjacent the supply port, and a reaction flow passage portion including the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction flow passage portion is relatively significantly narrower than the supply portion. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the reaction chamber has a boundary defined in part by the seal member. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for anodizing a component comprising: 
       a container comprising a portion defining a receiving hole for receiving the component into the container;  
       a supply port in the container for supplying a reaction medium;  
       a drain port in the container for draining the reaction medium;  
       a supply passage connecting the supply port and the drain port, at least a portion of the supply passage including a reaction chamber in fluidly connection with a surface of the component to be anodized;  
       an electrode for supplying an electric current, the electrode being positioned between the drain port and the component surface.  
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a first seal member for separating a first surface of the component to be anodized from a second surface of the component not to be anodized. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the supply passage comprises a supply portion adjacent the supply port, and a reaction flow passage portion including the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction flow passage portion is relatively significantly narrower than the supply portion. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the reaction chamber has a boundary defined in part by the first seal member. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the supply port is formed vertically below the reaction chamber, and the drain port is formed vertically above the reaction chamber. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a second seal member, wherein the first seal member and the second seal member separate an annular surface portion of the component to be anodized from a remaining surface portion of the component not to be anodized. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the reaction chamber has a boundary defined in part by the first seal member and the second seal member. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a passage plate in the container, the passage plate extending at least partially into the reaction flow passage. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the supply passage has a ring shape, wherein the component has a tube shape and the supply passage surrounds the component. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the electrode is an annular ring, and the electrode surrounds the component. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the electrode has a tube shape, the electrode surrounds the component, and the electrode has a portion defining a hole that connects to the drain port. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the supply port and the drain port are formed on opposite sides of the container in a radial direction. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a tubular wall which is positioned concentrically between an outer housing of the container and the reaction chamber, the tubular wall having a portion defining a hole that is fluidly upstream of the electrode for preventing backflow of the reaction medium from the drain port to the reaction chamber.